Analyzing 2019: Texas shootings and 2nd Amendment politics
Shootings in El Paso and Odessa prompted fresh questions and conversations about gun violence in Texas, even among some of the state’s elected Second Amendment advocates. Full Story
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Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
The best of the Tribune's storytelling with data and graphics in 2019
The Tribune's data visuals team published more than 100 graphics about Texas politics and policy this year. Here's a look back at some of our favorites. Full Story
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Credit: Emily Albracht/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A Houston police death and the debate over who should have guns in Texas
The proliferation of mass shootings has opened up the debate about gun laws among politicians in Texas, and about whether new restrictions are needed. But not among all Texas politicians. Full Story
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![Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo speaks out against bathroom bills at a press conference on the steps of the state capitol on July 25, 2017.]()
Credit: Austin Price/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Why Texas Republicans are launching trial balloons on gun laws
Two University of Texas/Texas Tribune pollsters say top state officials edging into slightly tighter gun control laws are taking their cues from the changing electoral climate — not from changing attitudes among voters. Full Story
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![A person attending a vigil for Leilah Hernandez, one of the victims of the Texas shootings in Odessa and Midland, lights a candle on Sept. 2, 2019.]()
Credit: Colin Murphey/San Angelo Standard-Times/USA TODAY NETWORK -
Texas had 7 mass shootings over 10 years. Meanwhile, gun control has loosened statewide.
Texas has a history of deadly mass shootings. Many have sparked public debate about what legislation should be passed to prevent another one. Full Story
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![A lone policeman outside the WalMart in El Paso where a mass shooting took place on Saturday, August 3, 2019.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Texas shootings haven’t upended voters’ views on guns, UT/TT poll finds
A slim majority of Texans favor stricter gun laws, but voters have their limits, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Emily Albracht/The Texas Tribune -
El Paso Mayor Dee Margo says he won't support mandatory buyback of assault weapons
During a panel at The Texas Tribune Festival, Margo doubled down on his support of background checks but stopped short of supporting any other gun control measures. Full Story
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![John Harwood moderates “El Paso and Dayton” panel with guests El Paso Mayor Dee Margo and Dayton, Ohio Mayor Nan Whaley at The Texas Tribune Festival on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019.]()
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How to report a possible community, school safety threat in 10 minutes
Community members can report a potential threat to iWatchTexas via an app, online or over the phone. The resource launched last year, shortly after the shooting at Santa Fe High School. Full Story
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![The iWatchTexas application was released in 2018 to help report suspicious activity in school and communities.]()
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Watch a 2019 Texas Tribune Festival conversation about El Paso, Dayton and mass shootings
Watch a conversation with El Paso Mayor Dee Margo and Dayton, Ohio, Mayor Nan Whaley as they talked about an unbearably tragic weekend and a remarkably resilient aftermath. Full Story
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![Mourners take part in a vigil near the border fence between Mexico and the U.S after a mass shooting at a WalMart store in El Paso on Saturday night after the shooting.]()
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott suggests improving voluntary background checks for person-to-person gun sales
Abbott stopped short of saying the Legislature should make the background checks mandatory. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, hold the first meeting of the Texas Safety Commission at the state capitol Aug. 22, 2019.]()
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Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and NRA feud over gun background checks
The frequent allies traded jabs in the wake of two mass shootings in Texas. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Senate Parliamentarian Karina Davis on the Senate floor on Jan. 9, 2019.]()
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Analysis: The delicate balance of protecting Texans in a state that worships guns
Shootings in Odessa and El Paso added pressure on Republican state leaders to do more to protect Texans. But in a state that prides itself on lenient firearms laws, the politics are treacherous. Full Story
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![Governor Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference after a mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso. Aug. 3, 2019.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott issues eight executive orders aimed at stopping potential mass shooters
The orders focus largely on improving reporting channels when members of the public or law enforcement agencies worry that a person might become violent. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott meets with El Paso lawmakers on Wednesday, August 6, 2019. Abbott, along with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, visited the city in the aftermath of Saturday's shooting that left 22 dead at a local WalMart.]()
Credit: Jesus Rosales for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen asks lawmakers to study strengthening laws that keep firearms from felons
"Words alone will not deliver the bold solutions Texas needs in order to defeat the violence that has become far too commonplace in our state," Bonnen said in a statement Wednesday announcing his charges for a select House committee. Full Story
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![Opening Day of the 86th session of the Texas Legislature with action in the Texas House
Election of Speaker Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, by unanimous vote.]()
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Texas House Democrats ask Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session after two mass shootings
Members of the House minority say they want to consider legislation “closing the background check loopholes” and “banning the sale of high-capacity magazines.” Full Story
![A person attending a vigil for Leilah Hernandez, one of the victims of the Texas shootings in Odessa and Midland, lights a candle on Sept. 2, 2019.]()
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Analysis: Since Texas leaders aren’t doing much about guns, watch what they say
After the Odessa shootings, Gov. Greg Abbott said actions are louder than words. That may be right. But don't forget about the words. Full Story
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![Flanked by El Paso lawmakers, Gov. Greg Abbott talks to the press after meeting with state legislators on Wednesday, August 7, 2019. From left (in front of flag): State Rep. Mary González, D-Clint; state Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso; state Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso; Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick; and El Paso state Reps. Cesar Blanco and Lina Ortega. Also present, not pictured: State Rep Art Fierro and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen.]()
Credit: Jesus Rosales for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott urged action after Texas shootings, but the gun debate has placed him “in a tight spot”
More so than ever, the second-term Republican governor finds himself wedged between his party's hard line on gun rights and calls for action on the left. Full Story
![Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, hold the first meeting of the Texas Safety Commission at the state capitol Aug. 22, 2019.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Reports: Odessa shooter bought gun via private sale without background check
ABC News reported that the shooter had failed a previous gun purchase background check because he had been diagnosed with a mental illness. Full Story
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![Law enforcement officers outside the Cinergy movie theater in Odessa, where a mass shooter was killed in a shootout with police.]()
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After mass shooting, Odessa’s mayor is "mad as hell" but helping his city cope
David Turner says residents are still in shock. He’s unsure of the solution but is troubled that the gunman was able to obtain a firearm even after failing a background check. Full Story
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![Odessa Mayor David Turner, far right, speaks at a vigil at the University of Texas Permian Basin on Sept. 1, 2019. The Odessa community came together at The University of Texas to pay respect to the victims who were shot and injured in the recent mass shooting.]()
Credit: Colin Murphey/San Angelo Standard-Times via USA TODAY NETWORK -
"The status quo is unacceptable": Walmart will stop selling some ammunition and exit the handgun market
The move comes after fatal shootings in two of its stores, including the deaths of 22 people in El Paso. The retailer will also no longer allow customers to openly carry in stores. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman for The Texas Tribune